Baffled King Composing
Do you all know the story of Mathilde? Why she was important to me? I shall tell it again, since I like it so much. And since it is connected to yesterday’s history lesson.
When I first started going to the playground Mathilde was very shy. Really shy. She was scared of people. If you tried to touch her she would just run away. Luckily I had time. And bread. So I would hold out the bread and while she was eating from it I could touch her. And gradually she got used to me. And started to tolerate being touched, even without food. Like this picture. I still remember what a big victory it was to be able to get close to her like that.
And then the proudest day, when Per told me that she didn’t trust anyone else like she trusted me. That was before I knew Per. He didn’t say it because we were friends. He was just stating a fact. Mathilde trusted me more than anyone else. How amazing is that? It was important to me. I was helping Mathilde get more confident. And she was helping me get confident. I had no self confidence at that point. But here was something I was good at. Here I had some worth. Mathilde helped me see that. I got very confident around the goats. And that translated over to the humans. And got me started on the path to where I am now. With friends at the playground, working there. Being someone. And by the end, before she was sold, Mathilde was perfectly “normal” too. She was almost as confident as Mads! And that’s a lot, hehe. She would walk right up to people to see if they had food. She would stand her ground.
And she would let me hug her. Hug her tight. If I had tried that in 2004 she would have panicked and ran away. She changed a lot. And she changed me. And that is why she was a very special lady.
They sort of all had their little special meaning to me, the goats. Mads was.. well Mads. Unstoppable and lovable. So much fun. And Mathilde was special for the shyness bond. And Magnethe was the first goat kid I ever saw. She was so utterly adorable and cute. And the first animal I really saw grow up like that. I loved them all for their own reasons. And still love them, of course. Even though Mathilde is gone.
What is Vanilje’s special reason? Maybe that she is Mathilde’s kid. She is the little one. When Mads and Magnethe bully her around then I feel like I have to watch out for her a bit. Because Mathilde would have wanted that.
So there you go. A little extra history from the playground. Actually, come to think of it there is more. Long before 2004. When I was a kid. The playground has always been there. Always in my lifetime anyway. As I said, I had no relationship to animals when I was a kid. But sometimes a group of boys from the neighbourhood would go up there. To ride on the “moon cars”. I have a vague memory of being a little afraid of the place. Because you could encounter sheep or other animals walking around freely. I really wish my parents would have introduced animals into my life. I was even scared of going to the park on the other side of the road from the playground. Because people would walk their dogs there. Unleashed. It terrified me. It wasn’t until I met Skye’s dog, Sascha, that things started changing for me. Do you all know Skye? I have been writing for so long that it’s hard to keep track of who has been reading and for how long and how much everyone knows. Maybe I should make a sequel to the Introductions & Story So Far entry. Or write an autobiography. You would all come to the booksigning, right?
Oh, another thing I remembered. The dream from yesterday. The BOB dream. I have been watching my Seinfeld season 7 DVDs. And the night before that dream I watched The Rye episode. Which features several ex-Twin Peaks cast members. I find it fascinating. It can’t be coincidence that Bob appears in my dream after I saw that episode. How your subconscience picks up things like that and it affects your dreams. Neato.
Let’s finish off with some pictures from today’s playgrounding.
The unstoppable Mads-bomb. He was two years old when I started going to the playground. So he must be nearing five years now. Wow. I really gotta remember to ask when his birthday is. If they know it.
And Magnethe. She will be two years old in a couple of months.
When it’s not so cold that the goats stay inside then I usually sit there on the bench or I put some hay down in the corner and sit up against the fence. So imagine me sitting there in the corner, under Sille…
And suddenly there is a giant horsehead looking down on me. Heh. She wanted to take a bite out of my bag there. Instead I scratched her for a while. Her chin is so soft! Or maybe it’s actually her lip? Either a giant lip or a normal chin. But it was so soft. Cute.
That’s all. Any other history lessons needed?
PS. Aah, just browsing old pictures… Look at Mads. He’s too great.
PPS. Hey, look at this picture. That’s Kurt and Alice. And the guy with his back turned to me? That’s Crazy Chicken Guy. The guy who comes and talks to the chickens. He’s a nice guy. Bok bok!
PPS. Aww Magnethe climbing my arm
Damn, I have had so many good times there.
January 16th, 2007 at 4:13
I like the picture with Mads on the picnic table. He looks so content. It’s amazing what happens when we get to really know animals. It’s good to reminisce about the past, see how far you’ve come, and to think good things for the future.
You have made some wonderful things happen in your life, Lasse. I’m glad the goats and other animals have been a part of it. I wish things could have been different for you in your childhood about getting to be around animals. You must have just been so overwhelmed and scared of the animals, new things, etc. Did you ever ask your parents how you reacted at the playground or what they did?
I may be delving into things you’d rather not ask. That’s okay. If you want to know you’ll ask and if you don’t, you won’t. It’s just me being nosy again. (My ONLY character flaw, I’ll have you know!)
I’ve read quite a few of your past blogs and I know who Skye is. She sounds like quite a wonderful person. And I don’t mind if you repeat yourself. That’s what friends do in conversations. They talk about things in the past, what’s going on now, and what they want to do later.
How long has Luis been reading your blog? I started the first part of 2006 and read for awhile before I commented. Your goat pictures hooked me since we have two pygmy goats. I liked being able to talk “goats” without feeling silly about it. Our boys are the most wonderful things in our lives for sure. It’s nice to know others feel the same about goats.
January 17th, 2007 at 6:25
I am with Debster. I, too, also know about the saga of Skye. Reading about it touched me deeply and that’s when I started to read your blog on a regulary basis.
And it will be Debster and I who will be waiting in line when your book comes out and you get to sign our copies.
Sometimes people don’t realize that everyone has a story to tell. They may think it’s mundane or boring, etc, but it isn’t. Your life is just as interesting as the next person.
However, the difference between you and the next person is your ability to capture your life on paper. Only you can tell us how your life is and was in the past. Only you can give the shades of light and dark, of happiness and the deepest of sorrows. Neither I nor Debster nor anyone on this planet can do that for you.
And the odd part about it is that you probably don’t even know that you’re already writing your autobiography. It comes in pieces like a shattered vase. And in the end, it will put glued together. That’s when the book will come into fruition.
Don’t let your talent of writing get lost online. You’d be surprised on how many people would love to know about your life, your thoughts, your views, the nightmares at night, the goats during the day, and the love of Skye lost to the highest heights into the deep purple background of stars.
You’re young and the story is still unfolding. No one knows what the end will be, but I’ll guarantee it will be something no one will expect: true happiness on a scale you’ve never experienced. And the best part is that it will be on your own terms.
You’re a boy in many ways; but you’re also becoming a man armed with the needed skills to navigate through life successfully. Maybe that’s why I read your blog everyday. You remind me of me when I was much younger.
It’s like watching a tree grow. As time passes, it gets stronger and taller bit by bit. children play underneath its branches, apples grow and leaves turn green, and the wind blows until the trunk holds fast in the ground. Nothing can topple it.
You are the tree…
January 17th, 2007 at 12:19
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Raven loved the card – much like a goat, she chews on anything she can get her paws on – Christmas cards included. But yeah, we all loved it. Adam says thanks, too. Julen varer lige til Paaske! Hugs!
January 17th, 2007 at 14:26
What a wonderful comment, Luis. You and Plume have quite the way with words. I’ll stand in line for “The Book of Plume & The Goats”.
January 18th, 2007 at 0:09
Ok, Plumey. We need to put our goat heads together and thing of a tacky nickname for Luis. The Luis-inator, Luis-ster, the Luis-iest, San Diego Luis, San Luis, Luisy, Saint Luis, Mister Luis, Palm Tree Luis, Luis-a-roo, etc.
Plumer, help me out, I’m struggling here. Send a pink flamingo to help me. Luis, did you have a nickname as a kid? Or one you WANTED to be called?
Luis the Great, King Luis, General Luis, Captain Luis sez “Beam me up Scotty!” “Paging Dr. Luis, paging Dr. Luis.” The Dread Pirate Luis: “Aye matey, time to walk the plank.”
Does Mads the Great have any ideas for a nickname???
January 18th, 2007 at 18:53
can you be on today? i have a half day off :)
January 18th, 2007 at 19:02
oh forgot to fill in my name. hanne. ofcourse :)
January 18th, 2007 at 22:15
Debster – I remember taking that picture. Shortly afterwards Pernille came walking around the corner and burst out laughing when she saw him on the table. “Aw Mads, you’ve gotten yourself nice and comfy haven’t you?” she said.
I don’t think I ever was at the playground with my parents. It would just be a bunch of kids, boys, who went up there. And I seem to remember trying to stay cool and not let it show that the idea of a lamb on the loose was terrifying to me. If only I knew how silly lambs were, not dangerous at all.
I don’t mind you being nosy. I mean, it’s better than being big-nosey like me!
One of my favourite things about you is your goats. Well, not that I don’t think you’re a nice person too! But yes, talking to someone who is crazy about goats as well, that’s great. It’s good to know you’re not the only (goat)crazy person in the world, heehee.
Luis – I once had a guy more or less offer me to print out my entire diary and make a book out of it. I guess if I were to make it my autobiography I’d have to do some editing, otherwise it would be the Neverending Story, more or less. But I like sharing my story, it’s a joy when there are people like you to share it with.
A tree is not a bad thing to be. You are a star, in my eyes.
Desiree – You are welcome! Next year maybe I can make an edible card so Raven can get to chomp it all down! Say hi to everybody. You have a beautiful family.
Debster – Nickname. Ergh. Luisaroni? Sir Luis of Luisfort. Flamingo Luis. Luis Olé. A-luis-ette. I don’t know! I consulted Mads but all his suggestions were along the lines of “nuts luis” and “raisins luis” and “carrots luis” and “gimme gimme gimme treats luis”. Hmm! The Third Luisketeer. Luisburger. Luisburger with cheese. Laughin Luis and his Lovable Lemmings. Cool Hand Luis. Luis and the Heartbreakers. Yikes!
Hanne – Done!
January 18th, 2007 at 23:43
Laughin Luis and his Lovable Lemmings – Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha and nuts, raisins, and carrots Luis! Hee, hee, hee That Mads is one crazy goat.
Flamingo Luis is good, too. Any of these nicknames tacky enough for you Luis? You’re going to regret asking for one.